Non pressurized product dispensing system

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for spraying a fluid product includes a product container housing the product. The product is in communication with a product flow passage through a valve of the container. The stem of the valve is connected to a coupler-aspirator. A conventional aerosol propellant cartridge is also connected to the coupler-aspirator aligned with the product container. When the propellant cartridge is depressed, both the valve thereof and the container valve are opened. Thus the product is then aspirated by the propellant through the coupler-aspirator.

United States Patent- Marand [451 June 20, 1972 s41 NON PRESSURIZEDPRODUCT 3,451,593 6/1969 Dillarstone ..239/337 x DISPENSING SYSTEM3,357,647 12/1967 Marral'fino..... ...239/308 X 3,478,933 11/1969Rousselot ..239/308 X [72] Inventor: Jean Mllllld, Norwalk, Conn.

73 1 Cum 0mm Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. 1 Asslgnee C AssistantExaminer-John .I. Love Filed! J ll 1970 Attorney-Wenderoth, Lind &Ponack [21] Appl.No.: 43,417 mm A dispenser for spraying a fluid productincludes a product 5.33: container housing the product. The product isin communica- 58 Field of Search ..239/307 308 328 337 34s 9" 3 mush235/3 1 5 tamer. The stem of the valve is connected to acoupler-aspirator. A conventional aerosol propellant cartridge is alsoconnected to the coupler-aspirator aligned with the product con- [56]Rdmnm cmd tainer. When the propellant cartridge is depressed, both theUNITED STATES PATENTS valve thereof and the container valve are opened.Thus the product is then aspirated by the propellant through the cou-3,442,425 5/1969 Chambers ..222/ 193 plepaspimmn 3,255,972 5/1966l-lultgren et al. ..239/328 X 3,408,010 10/ 1 968 Fukui ..239l308 8Chins, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJUMO 1972 SHEET 10F 4 FlCml INVENTORJEAN MARAND ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUHEO m2 3. 670.965

SHEET 2 BF 4 I 1 I 110; 121 Q I25 Q FIG.2

INVENTOR JEAN MARA ND ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUHZO m2 SHEET 3 BF 4 IN VENTORJEAN MARAND BY MM ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJum 1912 3,670,965

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INVENTOR JEAN MARAND BY Am 91% 851d M ATTORNEY-Y NON PRESSURIZED PRODUCTDISPENSING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to a dispensing system of the aerosol type for spraying a fluid,generally liquid, by aspiration with a liquefied gas propellant. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to such a system wherein theproduct is housed in a product container and coupled to an aerosolpropellant cartridge separate from the product container through acoupler-aspirator.

Even more particularly, the present invention relates to such a systemwherein a single actuation causes the propellant to aspirate the productthrough the coupler-aspirator.

A great many dispensers of the aerosol type are known for dispensing aproduct upon aspiration by a liquified gas propellant. Such containerscomprise a single product and propellant container. The container housesthe propellant cartridge and the product such that they are mutuallyisolated. Separate flow paths lead from the propellant cartridge andfrom the product through a common valve to a nonle. When the valve isactuated, the product is aspirated by the propellant.

However, certain commercial disadvantages are inherent in suchdispensers. In the use of such dispensers, it is necessary to create aseal between the common container and the valve or the valve collar.This becomes a complex practical problem in sophisticated dispensers.Also, the creation of a satisfactory seal becomes difiicult with the useof certain materials.

Furthermore, the general manufacture of aerosol dispensers is aspecialized industry. Therefore, manufacturers who-wish to marketproducts in aerosol form must acquire specialized knowledge and mustinvest large capital in specialized equipment. An alternative is to"farm out" such aerosol production to specialized aerosol manufacturers.This of course, reduces the amount of control which the productmanufacturers can exercise over the quality and manufacture of theirproduct.

Also, the handling and shipping of aerosol units is much more complexand expensive than that of non-aerosol products. Special productcontainers are required, and special shipping regulations must beobserved.

For economic reasons, the design of the aerosol unit must be such thatthe propellant is used up at approximately the same time as the product.This requires the propellant. cartridge to be specifically designed forvirtually each and every product which is manufactured. Manifestly, thisindividualization is expensive. Even though such design may beapproximately achieved in the aerosol industry, normal manufacturingtolerances are such that invariably some of the product or propellant iswasted.

With these disadvantages in mind, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a dispensing system of the type such that theproduct is aspirated by a propellant, but wherein the product is housedin a product container separate from the propellant cartridge and isaspirated by the propellant separate from the product container througha coupler-aspirator.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a systemwherein the product container need only be leak sealed and not pressuresealed.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such asystem which need include only the product, the product container and acoupler, and may be readily combined with a standard and conventionalaerosol propellant cartridge.

It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide sucha system that may be handled and shipped without the propellant, andtherefore in the same manner as other non-aerosol products.

It is still further an object of the present invention to provide such asystem which eliminates waste of the product or the propellant.

These objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention bythe provision of a product container containing the product and having aproduct container valve in communication with the product. The productmay be contained in a flexible product sac within the product containerwherein the product sac is in communication with the valve.Alternatively, a dip tube may be connected to the valve such that theproduct within the container is in communication with the valve. Theproduct container valve or valve collar is leak sealed to the productcontainer. The outlet of the product container valve communicates withone flow path in a coupler-aspirator. A second flow path in thecoupler-aspirator is adapted to communicate with the outlet valve of aconventional aerosol propellant cartridge mounted in alignment with theproduct container. The two flow paths in the coupleraspirator join at, aVenturi noule therein for spraying the product. When the propellantcartridge is pressed downwardly, both the propellant cartridge valve andthe product container valve are opened. This allows the product to beaspirated by the propellant through the coupler-aspirator.

Other objects and features of the invention will be made clear by thefollowing description taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of the first embodiment of the present invention where the product is contained in aflexible product sac;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of a second embodimentof the present invention where the product is housed in the productcontainer;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional illustration of a third embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first modified coupleraspirator inaccordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a second modifiedcoupler-aspirator in accordance with the present invention.

With reference now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a first em bodiment of thedispenser in accordance with the present invention will be described.

A product container 1 is adapted to contain a flexible product sac 2enclosing a suitable product to be dispensed therefrom. Sac 2 may bemade of any suitable material which is compatible with the product to bedispensed. Product container 1 may also be made of any suitable ordesirable material such as a plastic, metal, fiberboard, etc. A productcontainer valve 4 is seated in valve collar 5. Valve collar 5 is sealedto container 1 in any conventional manner. The seal between collar 5 andcontainer 1 need not be a pressure seal or leakproof seal sincecontainer 1 does not house a propellant and the product is contained ina sac. The interior of sac 2 is in communication with a product flowpath within valve 4 in a conventional manner, one example of which willbe described in detail below.

The outlet of product container valve 4 is in communication with a firstflow path 7 in a coupler-aspirator 6. First flow path 7 and a secondflow path 8 join in a Venturi noule 9 from which the product is sprayed.Second flow path 8 is adapted to communicate with the stem 10 of theconventional aerosol valve 11 of a conventional aerosol propellantcartridge 12. Propellant cartridge 12 contains a suitable liquefied gaspropellant 13. A dip tube 14 is provided in propellant cartridge 12.since the cartridge will normally be positioned above the productcontainer and, therefore, used in the inverted position. This enablesonly vaporized propellant to be withdrawn. Product container 1 isprovided with a guide 15 which is adapted to fit in any conventionalmanner, such as a snap fit, over the top of the product container. Guide15 acts to guide and laterally support propellant cartridge 12, as shownin FIG. I. Coupler-aspirator 6 extends to and sprays through a hole 16in guide 15. Container 1 isprovided with holes 17 in any suitablelocation for the purpose of providing air vents in the container. Holes17 allow equalization of atmospheric pressure within container 1 andaround product sac 2. Thus, as product is dispensed fromsac 2, thepressure is equalized therearound to insure complete or continueddispensing.

As previously mentioned, product container valve 4 may be any suchconventional device. One example of such a valve is shown in FIG. 1. andwill now be described. Valve collar 5 has a central opening 20 therein.Just below opening 20 annular gasket 21 is supported on a body member22. A crimp 23 in collar 5 acts to retain body member 22 in place and tohold gasket 21 in place. Flexible product sac 2 is connected to a sacadaptor 24. Sac adaptor 24 extends through and is held in place by theinner periphery of body member 22. Slidably mounted within annularchamber 25 in the interior of body member 22 is a valve stem 26. Stem 26has therein a longitudinal passage 27 which communicates at its lowerend with a radial passage 28. Radial passage 28 extends to the outersurface of valve stem 27. A spring 29 urges valve stem 26 in an upwardlyclosed position. In this closed position the inner periphery of gasket21 closes radial hole 28.

, The general operation of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1 will now bedescribed. The operator graps the unit generally around guide 15.Pressure is then applied by finger or thumb in the general direction ofarrow 30. Since container 1, coupler-aspirator 6 and cartridge 12 arealigned, the pressure from the propellant cartridge 12 causes aerosolvalve 11 to be opened and also pushes down the coupler-aspirator 6. Thispressure is transferred to stem 26. As stem 26 is pushed down againstthe force of spring 29, radial opening 28 becomes clear of gasket 21.Communication is then opened between the interior of product sac 2, sacadaptor 24, chamber 25, radial opening 28, longitudinal opening 27, flowpassage 7, and nozzle 9. Thus, it will be apparent that as propellantcartridge 12 is depressed, both the propellant container aerosol valveand the product container low pressure valve are opened. Only pressuresufficient to open the stiffer of these two valves is required. Whenboth valves are opened the propellant will aspirate the product throughthe above-mentioned path and cause it to be sprayed from nozzle 9.

In the dispenser shown in FIG. 1, the product is enclosed in a flexibleproduct sac. Thus, the product container may be provided with variousholes 17 therein to insure equalization of pressure within the productcontainer to further provide for continued dispensing of the productfrom the sac. However, as also previously mentioned, it is possible toenclose the product within the product container itself, rather than ina flexible product sac. However, it is manifest that if such arrangementis made, the pressure equalization holes may not be provided in theproduct container and the seal of the collar to the product containermust be leakproof.

Therefore, with reference now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of thepresent invention will be described 'wherein the product is locatedwithin the product container and means are provided within the valve forpressure-equalization within the product container. The product 103 isenclosed within product container 101. Dip tube 102 extends into theproduct and is fitted into flange 124 in annular body member 122. Bodymember 122 is supported on the inner periphery of a downwardly extendingprojection 105a of collar 105. Gasket 121 is held in place betweencollar 105 and annular body member 122. Collar 105 is sealed tocontainer 101 in a conventional manner to provide a leakproof seal.Slidably mounted within annular chamber 125 of annular body member 122is a valve stem 132. Radial openings 126 extend from a longitudinalcenter passage 127 of stem 132 into chamber 125. Gasket 121 has theinner periphery thereof obturating the radial openings 126 and thusserves as a low pressure obturator. Annular depending projection 105ahas a longitudinal opening 105k therein.

It will be apparent that as the unit is actuated and stem 132 isdepressed, gasket 121 is moved downwardly. This of course, openscommunication between product in product container 101 through dip tube102 into chamber 125 through openings 126 and into passage 127.Simultaneously, however, gasket 121 is moved away from projection 1050of collar 105, and there is then communication between the atmosphereabove collar and the interior of container 101 through opening 105k.Thus, as product is aspirated from the interior of container 101,atmospheric pressure is introduced into container 101 to equalize thepressure therein, and to thus insure continued dispensing of the producttherefrom.

The construction of the coupler-aspirator is the same as that disclosedwith regard to the embodiment of FIG. 1. Therefore, as the operatordepresses propellant cartridge 112 both the product container valve andthe aerosol valve are opened. Thus, the propellant flows through flowpassage 108 of coupler-aspirator 106 to aspirate the product throughflow passage 107 whereby the product is sprayed from nozzle 109.

In the embodiments of the invention discussed with regard to FIGS. 1 and2, the aerosol and product valves were actuated upon depression.However, it is to be understood that it is within the scope of thepresent invention to include aerosol and product valves which areactuated upon being tilted in a generally horizontal direction. Withreference then to FIG. 3 of the drawings, a further embodiment of thepresent invention incorporating the use of tiltable valves will bedescribed. A product container 201 houses a product to be dispensed. Theproduct may be contained either within a flexible product sac in themanner described with reference to FIG. 1 or the product may be housedin the container itself in the manner described with reference to FIG.2. A suitable tiltable product container valve 204 is seated within thecollar of product container 201. A coupler-aspirator 206 is coupled tothe stem of the tiltable product valve in a manner similar to theembodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 such that the interior of the stem isin communication with first flow path 207. A standard aerosol propellantcartridge 212 having a conventional tiltable aerosol valve 211 iscoupled at stern 210 with coupler-aspirator 206 tocommunicate withsecond flow passage 208 therein in a manner similar to that describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. A guide 215 fits over the top ofproduct container 201 in a manner similar to that described with theprevious embodiments. However, guide 215 has a closed top portion 213,and provides lateral support for cartridge 212 only at an upper reduceddiameter section 214. Coupler-aspirator 206 extends to and spraysthrough a hole 216 in guide 215. Guide 215 may also include a hole 217on the side thereon opposite hole 216.

The operation of tiltable aerosol valves is well-known in the art.Therefore, a complete description of valves 204 and 211 will herein bedispensed with.

The operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 willnow be described. The operator again generally grasps the unit aroundguide 215. However, force is applied against cartridge 212 in agenerally horizontal direction as indicated by arrow 218 by a thumb orfinger extending through hole 217 in guide 215. As this occurs, thevalve end of cartridge 212 is caused to tilt in a right hand directionas viewed in FIG. 3. This of course tends to move the upper part ofcoupler-aspirator 206 also in a right hand direction as viewed in FIG.3. However, coupler-aspirator 206 resists this movement due to its closefit with stem 210. This resistance causes stem 210 to be tilted withregard to the axis of cartridge 212. This tilting action causes valve 211 to be opened in a conventional manner. As the top of coupler-aspirator216 is caused to be moved in a right hand direction as viewed in FIG. 3,the remainder of coupler-aspirator 206 is also caused to move generallyin this direction. As this occurs the top of the product container valvestem is caused to be moved in a right hand direction as viewed in FIG.3. This causes the stem to be tilted, thereby opening valve 204 in aconventional manner. At this point, the product within container 201 isin communication with flow passage 207 through the valve 204, and theaerosol propellant is in communication with flow path 208 through valve211. Thus, the product is aspirated by the propellant in a mannersimilar to the embodimentsdiscussed with regard to FIGS. 1 and 2. Whenforce on the cartridge 212 is released, the components return to theiroriginal positions due to the normal urging of the valves 211 and 204.

Alternatively, guide 215 may be provided with a hole 217a on the sameside thereof as hole 216. In this embodiment the tilting of the valveswould be in the left hand direction as viewed in FIG. 3.

With reference now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, a modified form of thecoupler-aspirator will be described. Coupleraspirator 306 is similar tothat shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 and has a first flow passage 307 adaptedto communicate with a product container valve through chamber 330. Asecond flow passage 308 is adapted to communicate with an aerosolpropellant cartridge through chamber 322. However, passage 308 opensinto an enlarged chamber 320. Chamber 320 communicates with chamber 322.However, a filtering screen 323 having a generally conical shape fitswithin chamber 320 and is retained therein by ridge 321. Screen 323operates to filter out debris or dust that might otherwise accumulate inchamber 322 during shipment or storage when the propellant cartridge isnot yet in place. The accumulation of such debris or dust could easilyclog nozzle 309, and thereby prevent the operation of the unit. Thus,the provision of screen 323 prevents such blockage of the unit before apropellant cartridge is assembled thereto.

In all of the embodiments of the present invention so far described, thecoupler-aspirator has been coupled to male product and aerosol valvestems. However, it is to be un derstood that it is within the scope ofthe present invention to include a coupler-aspirator having male stemsadapted to couple with female product and aerosol valves. Thus, withreference now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, one such arrangement of thecoupler-aspirator having male stems at point A or B will be described.In FIG. 5 is shown one form of a stem, in this instance adapted to becoupled to a female aerosol propellant and/or product valve.Coupler-aspirator 406 includes a stem portion 440 through which flowpassage 408 communicates. Thus, the stern 440 would be inserted within afemale valve of a standard aerosol cartridge and/or product container.The unit so modified would operate in the same manner as previouslydiscussed embodiments of the invention. It is further to be understoodthat the coupler-aspirator as shown in the modified FIG. is meant to beby example only. It is to be understood that many variations of such amale stem are possible and that these variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be understood that any standard propellant cartridge may beused. The cartridge need not be specially designed with regard to thequantity of the product contained in the unit. When the propellant isexhaused, it need merely be replaced by another standard propellantcartridge. Additionally, when the products are exhausted, and when someof the propellant remains, the propellant cartridge may be transferredto a new product dispenser. Thus, it is apparent that the system inaccordance with the present invention eliminates waste to both theproduct and the propellant.

As previously mentioned, all of the various parts of the variousembodiments of the present invention above described may be made of anydesirable conventional material. For instance, all of these parts may bemolded of plastic material by conventional molding techniques, thusmaking possible the provision of such dispensers at a low cost.

The flexible sacs above described are preferably of the thin walled typeand have a great flexibility. This sac may be made of any suitablematerial which is compatible with the products used therein.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided a product dispenserwhich may be manufactured inexpensively by nonaerosol typemanufacturers. The dispenser of this invention may manifestly providegreatly improved commercial exploitation of products which heretoforehave not been distributed in aerosol form. The unit as described abovemay be manufactured and adapted to be later combined with a conventionalaerosol cartridge. The provision of this type d|spenser eliminates agreat many manufacturing problems.

The product container need not be pressure sealed. The product unit neednot be shipped or handled under aerosol regulations, since the unitcontains no aerosol cartridge. The waste of either the propellant or theproduct, heretofore unavoidable, is eliminated.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, such description is intended to be illustrative only, and notrestrictive, since many details of the construction of the invention maybe altered or modified without departing from the spirit or scopethereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A product dispenser comprising a product container housing a product;a valve means mounted on the top of said product container forselectively dispensing said product, said valve means including apassage communicating with said product and means for selectivelyblocking and unblocking said product passage; a coupler-aspiratormounted above said product container and having first and secondcoupling means, the first of said coupling means connected to said valvemeans, said coupler-aspirator further having a Venturi nozzle having athroat portion and first and second flow paths joining at said nozzle,the first of said flow paths communicating with said first couplingmeans and the second of said flow paths communicating with said secondcoupling means, said Venturi throat portion located in said second flowpath, said first flow path being in fluid communication with saidVenturi throat portion; and an aerosol propellant cartridge positionedabove said coupler-aspirator and vertically aligned with said containerand having a valve connected to said second coupling means, such thatdepression of said cartridge and said coupleraspirator opens said valvemeans and said valve and propellant from said cartridge aspirates saidproduct through said Venturi nozzle.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve means is leaksealed but not pressure sealed to said product container.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein said product is enclosedwithin said product container, said valve means including a dip tubefitted therein to provide communication between said product and saidproduct passage, and air inlet means.

4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein said product is enclosedin a flexible product sac, said sac having a sac adaptor thereon whichfits into said valve means to provide communication between said sac andsaid product passage.

5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a guide meansfitting around and extending above said container for providing lateralsupport for said aerosol propellant cartridge, said guide means havingan opening therein through which said product is sprayed by saidcoupler-aspirator.

6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein said valve means and saidaerosol valve are tiltable valves and said guide means further has ahole therein whereby said cartridge may be tilted to cause said valvemeans and said aerosol valve to be opened.

7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein said valve means and saidaerosol valve have male stems and said coupling means are openings toreceive said stems.

8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein said coupling means aremale stems adapted to be received in said valve means and said aerosolvalve.

i I i i l

1. A product dispenser comprising a product container housing a product;a valve means mounted on the top of said product container forselectively dispensing said product, said valve means including apassage communicating with said product and means for selectivelyblocking and unblocking said product passage; a coupler-aspiratormounted above said product container and having first and secondcoupling means, the first of said coupling means connected to said valvemeans, said coupleraspirator further having a Venturi nozzle having athroat portion and first and second flow paths joining at said nozzle,the first of said flow paths communicating with said first couplingmeans and the second of said flow paths communicating with said secondcoupling means, said Venturi throat portion located in said second flowpath, said first flow path being in fluid communication with saidVenturi throat portion; and an aerosol propellant cartridge positionedabove said coupler-aspirator and vertically aligned with said containerand having a valve connected to said second coupling means, such thatdepression of said cartridge and said coupler-aspirator opens said valvemeans and said valve and propellant from Said cartridge aspirates saidproduct through said Venturi nozzle.
 2. A dispenser as claimed in claim1, wherein said valve means is leak sealed but not pressure sealed tosaid product container.
 3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, whereinsaid product is enclosed within said product container, said valve meansincluding a dip tube fitted therein to provide communication betweensaid product and said product passage, and air inlet means.
 4. Adispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein said product is enclosed in aflexible product sac, said sac having a sac adaptor thereon which fitsinto said valve means to provide communication between said sac and saidproduct passage.
 5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, furthercomprising a guide means fitting around and extending above saidcontainer for providing lateral support for said aerosol propellantcartridge, said guide means having an opening therein through which saidproduct is sprayed by said coupler-aspirator.
 6. A dispenser as claimedin claim 5, wherein said valve means and said aerosol valve are tiltablevalves and said guide means further has a hole therein whereby saidcartridge may be tilted to cause said valve means and said aerosol valveto be opened.
 7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein said valvemeans and said aerosol valve have male stems and said coupling means areopenings to receive said stems.
 8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2,wherein said coupling means are male stems adapted to be received insaid valve means and said aerosol valve.